Medabots

This article is about the video game, anime and manga franchise. For the Game Boy Advance game, see Medabots (video game).

Medabots
Genre(s)	RPG
Developer(s)	Natsume Co., Ltd. Delta Arts Jupiter Corporation digifloyd
Publisher(s)	Imagineer Natsume Co., Ltd. (Some GBA/GC titles) Ubisoft (PAL, GBA/GC titles) Rocket Company (2010-16)
Platform(s)	Game Boy, Game Boy Color, WonderSwan, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo DS, 3DS, iOS, Android, Switch
First release	Medarot November 28, 1997
Latest release	Medarot Classics Plus November 12, 2020

Medabots, known in Japan as Medarot (メダロット, Medarotto), is a Japanese role-playing video game franchise created by Rin Horuma (Horumarin) and currently owned by Imagineer. The main series of RPGs focus on collecting and battling with the titular robots. The bulk of the games releases have been on Nintendo platforms, including the Game Boy, GameCube, and the DS, and 3DS handhelds.

The series was adapted into a Japanese anime television series spanning two adaptations. The first was animated by Bee Train while the second, Medarot Damashii, was animated by Production I.G. The television series originally aired on TV Tokyo from July 2, 1999, to March 30, 2001. Both series were originally licensed and localized into English by Nelvana and were broadcast on YTV in Canada and Fox Kids and ABC Family in the United States from 2001 to 2004.

A manga series, written by Rin Horuma, was also produced. It was serialized in the children's magazine Comic BomBom in Japan and then published into collected volumes by Kodansha. The manga based on the first game, Medarot, was never translated into English, but the manga based on the sequel, Medarot 2, was licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media, simply under the title Medabots. Medarot 2, 3, and 4, have also been translated into English for distribution in Singapore by Chuang Yi.

To date, only Medabots (a remake of Medarot 2 for Game Boy Advance), Medabots AX, and Medabots Infinity have been released in North America. There have also been plastic models produced by Kotobukiya.

A compilation game Medarot Classics Plus was released on November 12, 2020. It features the Kabuto and Kuwagata versions of the first eight mainline games.

Plot

In the future, the Medabots are a type of robot that are owned by different people and engage in Robattles. The theories and processes of the Medabots led to their creation at the hands of Dr. Eugene Aki, Professor Hushi, and Dr. Armond. In submission battles, the loser of the battle must give up one of their Medabots' parts ranging from their head, one of their arms, or their legs.

Medabots

The series centers around Medabots, artificially intelligent robots, whose purpose is to serve humans in a future time. The series begins with a ten-year-old (nine in the Japanese version) boy named Ikki Tenryō, who wants to become a champion of the World Robattle Tournament. However, Ikki is unable to afford a Medabot and his parents refuse to buy him one. However, he manages to get enough money to buy an outdated model, and, with a bit of luck, he finds a medal in a river that was previously dropped there after the Phantom Renegade thwarted a robbery by members of the Rubberobo Gang. Ikki quickly inserts it into the Medabot he purchased named Metabee. The only problem is that the medal he found gives Metabee a severe attitude problem (a problem rarely seen in a Medabot), which leads Ikki to think he is defective. However, this theory is proven wrong later in the series as it is revealed that Metabee actually has a rare medal. Ikki and Metabee end up in different robattles while also contending with the Rubberobo Gang members Seaslug, Gillgirl, Squidguts, and Shrimplips who are led by Dr. Armond under his alias of Dr. Meta-Evil. In addition, they also encounter the Medabot Rokusho who was originally owned by Professor Hushi who was presumed dead in a fire.

The rare medals were kept secret by the Medabot Corporation, as very little was known about them. However, a Medabot with a rare medal would be able to call upon an attack called the "Medaforce". In the manga, the Medaforce is a form of medal mind control as explained by Dr. Aki in the third graphic novel of Medabots. In the anime however, it is shown as a way of increasing the power of the Medabot's special skill into a focused beam attack.

Another important aspect is the story of Henry, the store clerk who sold Metabee to Ikki. It is revealed that he is, quite obviously, Phantom Renegade. A running gag of the series was Henry almost telling everyone he is the Phantom Renegade, with no one ever discovering this fact. Space Medafighter X is introduced, who is another one of Henry's secret identities, the number one Medafighter in Japan. Later during the World Finals, he rarely shows up to the fights, instead sending substitutes and working behind the scenes. This being because he supposedly started The Ten Days of Darkness, which occurred eight years before the events in the series during the World Robattle Cup when Henry fought as Hikaru Agata with the original Metabee (however, the medal was different). The Medabots went on a rampage during the Ten Days of Darkness which stopped when Henry was forced to kill his Medabot by destroying his medal.

At the end of the second season, it is revealed that Victor (a medafighter for Team Kenya and Warbandit's owner) was helping Dr. Meta-Evil to get medals during the tournament. During the finals, Metabee and Warbandit continue to fight, even with their partners lost and their bodies damaged. It is during this event that Dr. Meta-Evil starts his plan using Metabee and Warbandit's medals; trapping them both in a dream. However, Ikki manages to get Metabee to wake up from the dream, while the other medabots, free now, help Metabee to fight against Dr. Meta-Evil.

Later in the series, Medabots are found to be actually thousands of years old; remnants of an ancient civilization who called themselves Medalorians. The Medalorians were obsessed with war, and to become more effective warriors they fastened metal armor to themselves. However, their wars decimated the civilization, and the survivors coded their memories onto hexagonal pieces of metal. These, "Medals", cloned and mass-produced by the Medabot Corporation (a corporation founded by Dr. Aki), are the Medabot equivalent of a brain and soul. The original medals, referred to as rare medals, are kept in storage because of the extreme power they have. After Dr. Meta-Evil was defeated, Professor Hushi was revealed to have been saved from some aliens as he invites Dr. Meta-Evil with him on a space trip ultimately resulting in the disbandment of the Rubberobo Gang.

Medarot Damashii (Medabots Spirits)

Medarot Damashii, a sequel to the original series, follows Ikki and Metabee as they face a new challenge some time after the events of the original series. Kam Kamazaki, a twelve-year-old boy, has designed one of the most dangerous Medabots in the entire story called Kilobots (or Death Medarot in the Japanese version) who use the X-Medal. These Kilobots have no feelings, since the emotion part of the Medabot medal has been removed, and more strength parts have been replaced instead, and can break the rules in order to win a fight. Because they have no personality, the Medaforce is useless against them. In the first episode, Ikki loses a Robattle to Ginkai and his Kilobot Desperado when it cheats and reloads. But he soon meets Nae, a Medabot mechanic and Dr. Aki's granddaughter, who gives Ikki new medaparts in order to defeat Desperado through using a new feature called Action Mode (later Demolition Mode is introduced as well). Throughout the season, Ikki, Erika and their new friend Zuru (who secretly operates as the Mystery Medafighter) battle several of Kam's friends and their Kilobots. The Mystery Medfighter's ambition is to rid the world of Kilobots with the help of his Medabot Roks (who resembles Rokusho). Eventually, Ginkai re-discovers the true spirit of medafighting, defects from Kam's side, and returns to using Medabots. Eventually, Kam realizes the error of his ways and stops trying to develop stronger and more dangerous Kilobots following the Kilobot Gryphon's defeat, choosing to remain with his Kilobot Blackbettle, who has a personality installed into her X-Medal.

This sequel is often criticized for the dropping of several supporting characters such as Henry/Hikaru Agata/Phantom Renegade/Space Medafighter X and Arcbeetle, Rokusho, Koji and Sumilidon, Rintaro and Kantaroth, Karin and Neutranurse, Victor and Warbandit, Mr. Referee, the Rubberobo Gang, and the Chick Salesman, as well as for the fact that many of the new Kilobots and Medabots are simply slightly modified versions of the original series without relation to the original characters: Roks (Rokusho), Exor (Sumilidon), Arcdash (Arcbeetle), Unitrix (Warbandit).

Characters

Main characters

Ikki Tenryou (天領イッキ, Tenryō Ikki)

Voiced by: Michiru Yamazaki (Japanese); Samantha Reynolds (original series), Julie Lemieux (Medabot Spirits) (English)

Ikki Tenryou is a lively and easygoing boy, although a bit timid, he is one of the main protagonists of the series. At first Ikki is unable to afford a Medabot. But after finding a medal in a river, he manages to buy a model, which is named Metabee. However, the medal he found appears to be defective, as Metabee is short-tempered and disobedient. In spite of this, a strong bond grows between them after several robattles. Though Ikki is not a full-fledged Medafighter, he gradually matures through the Robattles he engages in.

Metabee (メタビー, Metabī)

Voiced by: Junko Takeuchi (Japanese); Joseph Motiki (English)

Metabee is one of the main protagonists of the series, a Medabot belonging to Ikki Tenryou whose name is a portmanteau of Metal Beetle. Metabee is a Hercules beetle-type Medabot, specializing in revolver tactics. He possesses a rare medal that allows him to access the Medaforce. Metabee is known to be a rebellious and arrogant Medabot who often causes problems due to his headstrong personality. He is often sarcastic to his owner Ikki, but he shares a close bond with him, and so Ikki trusts him deeply. Metabee is voiced by Junko Takeuchi in Japanese. In the English version, he is voiced by Joseph Motiki.

Erika Amazake (甘酒 アリカ, Amazake Arika)

Voiced by: Eri Sendai (Japanese); Lisa Yamanaka (original series), Bryn McAuley (Medabots Spirits (English)

Erika Amazake is a member of the school's journalism club who is the best friend of Ikki Tenryou.

Sailor-Multi (セーラーマルチ, Sailot-Multi)

Voiced by: Masami Suzuki

Sailor-Multi, also nicknamed Brass, is an SLR-1 model sailor-type Medabot specializing in shooting who is owned by Erika.

Supporting characters

Karin Junmai (純米 カリン, Junmai Karin)

Voiced by: Maaya Sakamoto (Japanese); Ashley Taylor (English)

Karen Junmai is a gentle and rich girl. She is a love interest for Ikki which makes Erika jealous, though Erika has had some friendship moments with her. Karen was later dropped after the original series.

Neutranurse (セントナース, Neutranurse)

Voiced by: Noriko Namiki

Neutranurse is a NAS-1 model nurse-type Medabot owned by Karin who specializes in healing.

Koji Karakuchi (辛口 コウジ, Karakuchi Kōji)

Voiced by: Reona Naka (Japanese); Joanna Vannacola (English)

Koji Karacuci is a rich boy and expert fencer who is Ikki's rival for Karin's affection. He was originally into insects at a young age until the cocoons he collected hatched into a swarm of mantis in his closet. During the World Robattle Cup, Koji was ranked #2 and represented Team Japan. Koji was later dropped after the original series.

Sumilodon (スミロドナッド, Sumilodon)

Voiced by: Satoshi Tsuruoka

Sumilodon is an STG-0 model sabretooth tiger-type Medabot owned by Koji who specializes in the Shadow Sword. He is not much of a talker.

Samantha (キクヒメ, Kikihimi)

Voiced by: Masami Suzuki (Japanese); Julie Lemieux (English)

Samantha is the leader of the Screws school gang who harass the other students. While she is the strongest and toughest of the bunch, Samantha does have an occassional soft side. During the Medabots Spirit season, Samantha would often help out Ikki or the Kilobot Medafights with the latter reason being for obtaining Kilobot parts which she often learns the hard way that they are not compatible with normal Medabots.

Peppercat (ペッパーキャット, Peppercat)

Voiced by: Mika Ishibashi

Peppercat is a CAT-1 model cat-type Medabot owned by Samantha who specializes in performing an electric shock. During the Medabots Spirit series, Samantha would try to obtain Kilobot parts from Kam in exchange for favors only to learn the hard way different times that Kilobot parts aren't compatible with Peppercat.

Spike (イワノイ, Iwanoi)

Voiced by: Shigenori Yamazaki (Japanese); Robert Tinker (English)

Spike is a member of the Screws school gang and the smartest of the bunch while also the tallest and weakest.

Cyandog (シアンドッグ, Cyandog)

Voiced by: Kōichi Tateishi (Japanese); Robert Tinkler (English)

Cyandog is a DOG-0 model dog-type Medabot who is Spike's first Medabot. Metabee later discovered that Cyandog has been equipped with a monkey medal that is not compatible with Medabots that don't run on this model as monkey medals are used for Medabots who are experts at hand-to-hand combat with Cyandog being among the Medabots that specialize in shooting.

Crosserdog (ブルースドッグ, Bluesdog)

Voiced by: Kōichi Tateishi (Japanese); Robert Tinkler (English)

Crosserdog is a DOG-1 model dog-type Medabot who is Spike's second Medabot and resembles an upgraded version of Cyandog. Like his predecessor, Crosserdog specializes in shooting.

Sloan (カガミヤマ, Kagamiyama)

Voiced by: Yoshiko Iseki (Japanese); Darren Frost (English)

Sloan is a member of the Screws school gang and the strongest of the bunch.

Totalizer (キースタートル, Totalizer)

Voiced by: Masaru Hotta

Totalizer is a TOT-1 model tortoise-type Medabot who is Sloan's Medabot and specializes in a laser beam attack. Unlike the other Medabots owned by the Screws, Totalizer is not much of a talker.

Hikaru Agata (あがた ヒカル, Agata Hikaru)

Voiced by: Ryo Naito (Japanese); Jamie Watson (English)

Hikari Agata is a famous Medafighter who is currently operating as a Hop-Mart clerk named Henry and has two masked aliases. As the Phantom Renegade (快盗レトルト, Kaitou Retoruto), he uses this alias to target rare medals for Dr. Aki to prevent a repeat of the Ten Days of Darkness and occassionally helps Ikki out when dealing with the Rubberobo Gang. As Space Medafighter X (宇宙メダロッターＸ, Uchū Medarottā Ekkusu), he is a top Medafighter who was said to have caused the Ten Days of Darkness when his Metabee went berserk and caused all the other Medabots to go berserk as well. Henry was later dropped after the original series.

Mr. Referee (ミスターうるち, Mr. Uruchi)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Shimizu (Japanese); Denis Akiyama (English)

Mr. Referee is a Medabot referee who pops up to referee the Robattles and lays down the rules. On occasion, Mr. Referee will pop up to mention important Robattle information. As seen in "Space Superstars", Mr. Referee is shown to call on the actions of Terakado (which resemble Wire-Ninjas with satellite parts for legs) to fire a sleeping dart on any Medafighters who break the laws. During the World Robattle Cup, Mr. Referee was manipulated by the Rubberobo Gang posing as World Robattle Cup officials to make the losing team give their medals to the winning team. When this ruse was discovered, Mr. Referee ran off. Thanks to a pep talk from the Chick Salesman, Mr. Referee officiated the final battle against Dr. Meta-Evil. Mr. Referee was later dropped after the original series.

Rokusho (ロクショウ, Rokushou)

Voiced by: Isao Shinohara (Japanese); Mark Dailey (English)

Rokusho is KWG-1 model stag beetle-type Medabot who specializes in sword and speed and allies with Ikki's group. He was originally owned by Professor Hushi who was thought to have perished in to fire caused by the Rubberobo Gang. At one point, Rokusho thought that Dr. Aki called the arson until the truth was revealed. Following the defeat of the giant Babbyblu piloted by Dr. Meta-Evil, Rokusho learns that Professor Hushi was saved by some aliens and is told by Professor Hushi that he'll be away much longer. Rokusho was later dropped after the original series.

Dr. Eugene Aki (アキハバラ アトム, Akihabara Atom)

Voiced by: Ron Pardo

Dr. Eugene Aki is a scientist who was one of the inventors of the Medabots who works at the Medabot Corporation. He is also the great-uncle of Karin.

Villains

Rubberobo Gang

The Rubberobo Gang (ロボロボ団, Roborobo Dan) are a group of thieves who serve as the primary antagonists of the first series. They often target rare medals and get their name from their rubber suits. In addition to a substantial number of generic Rubberobo Gang grunts, the following are the known members of the Rubberobo Gang:

Dr. Armond (ヘベレケ博士, Hebereke Hakase)

Voiced by: Ren Tamura (Japanese); Terry McGurrin (English)

Dr. Armond, known by his alias of Dr. Meta-Evil, is a scientist-turned-mad scientist who is the official leader of the Rubberobo Gang. In his early life, he helped Dr. Aki and Professor Hushi in the creation of the Medabots. When Dr. Meta-Evil made himself known to the Rubberobo Gang, they try to steal medals that they think is real only to be told by Dr. Meta-Evil that the medals aren't rare. In later episodes, Dr. Meta-Evil had each of the Rubberobo Gang members act as leader should the one he appoint to that position fail him. When Ikki and his allies were rescuing Metabee from a Rubberobo Gang, they encountered a cyborg copy of Dr. Meta-Evil who utilized different Medaparts like Robo-Emperor and Stingray's right arms, Spidar and Phoenix's left arms, Megaphant's left shield. and Phoenix's legs. After Michael deactivated the Dr. Meta-Evil clone by ejecting its medal upon its failur, he placed it in a giant-size Giganko. During the World Robattle Cup, Dr. Meta-Evil and the Rubberobo Gang manipulated Mr. Referee into making the losing team give up their medal. When this was revealed, Dr. Meta-Evil and Dr. Aki ended up in heated argument before Dr. Meta-Evil escaped into a giant-size Babbyblu. When the Babbyblu was defeated by Giant Metabee, Dr. Meta-Evil was then approached by Professor Hushi and the aliens that rescued him stating that the Medabots don't want to rule humanity. Dr. Meta-Evil then takes Professor Hushi's offer to travel into outer space with him.

Michael

Michael is the pet mechanial cat of Dr. Meta-Evil whose medal has the memories tied to the past of the Medalorians. After Michael deactivated the Dr. Meta-Evil clone by ejecting its medal upon its failure, he placed it in a giant-size Giganko. Michael was later seen by Dr. Meta-Evil's side when it is revealed that the Rubberobo Gang manipulated the World Robattle Cup. After the giant Babbyblu was defeated by Giant Metabee, Michael thanked Dr. Meta-Evil for his services, ejected the medal out of his helmet, and resumed his life as a normal cat.

Seaslug (サケカース, Sakekāsu)

Voiced by: Misami Iwasaki (Japanese); Robert Tinkler (English)

Seaslug is the unofficial leader of the Rubberobo Gang in its earlier appearances who sports a dimwitted and immature personality. His true name is Seamour Slugbottoms. Seaslug would lead the Rubberobo Gang in to different plots like causing ghost sightings, home renovations, passing themselves off as aliens, operating as a rebellious rock and roll band, crash an event at Rosewood Private School, and forming a penguin-only zoo. At one point, Seaslug infiltrated the Medabot Corporation under the alias of Mr. Tunahead and fell for a worker named Miss Caviar. He lost interest after seeing her with another person which led to a misunderstanding. Following Dr. Meta-Evil's defeat and the Rubberobo Gang disbanding, Miss Caviar cleared things up with Seaslug and they started a supervillain consulting agency.

Gillgirl (スルメ, Surume)

Voiced by: Noriko Namiki

Gillgirl is a member of the Rubberobo Gang. Her true name is Gilda Girlnikova (タカス ルミ, Takasu Rumi). Gillgirl showed off her ruthless side in "Dude, Where's My Ma" where she kidnaps Ikki's mother in order to challenge him to a Robattle.

Squidguts (シオカラ, Shiokara)

Voiced by: Harii Kineo (Japanese); Terry McGurrin (English)

Squidguts is a member of the Rubberobo Gang and the largest of the group who is not very bright. His true name is Guido Guttaluchi (シオカ ライゾウ, Shioka Raizou).

Shrimplips (サラミ, Sarami)

Voiced by: Kazuhiro Shindō

Shrimplips is a member of the Rubberobo Gang where he is the youngest, smallest, and more level-headed of the group. His true name is Shrimpy Lippowitz (サラ ミツオ, Sara Mitsuo).

Noctobats (ゴーフバレット, Noctobats)

The Noctobats are BAT-1 model bat-type Medabots that serve as the Medabot foot soldiers of the Rubberobo Gang. They have been used in "Spaceship Superstars" when operating the fake UFO, "For Better or Worse" Pt. II when fighting the Screws, and "Ban All Medabots" when attacking Riverview Junior High.

Media

Video games

Most games in the series come in two versions: Kabuto (lit. Rhinoceros Beetle), in which the player's starting Medabot's design is based on a Japanese rhinoceros beetle (a "KBT type" Medabot), and Kuwagata, in which it is based on a stag beetle ("KWG type"). Differences beyond the starting Medabot also exist, such as which Medabot parts the player is able to collect, and minor story differences. Medarot R, Medabots Infinity, and the Parts Collection games were only titles to not have been released in two versions.

Main series

The main series entries, except Medabots DS, are all numbered.

Title	Details
Medabot Original release date(s): JP: November 28, 1997	Release years by system: 1997—Game Boy
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot Kabuto Version and Medabot Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer.
Medabot Perfect Edition Original release date(s): JP: May 4, 1999	Release years by system: 1999—WonderSwan
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot Perfect Edition Kabuto Version and Medabot Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Enhanced port of the first game.
Medabot 2 Original release date(s): JP: July 23, 1999	Release years by system: 1999—Game Boy Color
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot 2 Kabuto Version and Medabot Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Compatible with the original Game Boy.
Medabot 3 Original release date(s): JP: July 23, 2000	Release years by system: 2000—Game Boy Color
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot 3 Kabuto Version and Medabot 3 Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer.
Medabot 4 Original release date(s): JP: March 23, 2001	Release years by system: 2001—Game Boy Color
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot 4 Kabuto Version and Medabot 4 Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer.
Medabot 5: Susutake-mura no Tenkōsei Original release date(s): JP: December 14, 2001	Release years by system: 2001—Game Boy Color
	Notes: The Japanese title translates to "Medabot 5: The Transfer Student of Susutake Village". Released in two versions, Medabot 5: Susutake-mura no Tenkōsei Kabuto Version and Medabot 5: Susutake-mura no Tenkōsei Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer.
Medabots Original release date(s): EU: November 22, 2002 JP: December 25, 2002 (Comic BomBom edition) NA: March 31, 2003 JP: April 18, 2003	Release years by system: 2002—Game Boy Advance 2015—Wii U Virtual Console
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabots: Metabee Version and Medabots: Rokusho Version. Known in Japan as Medabot 2 CORE Kabuto Version and Medabot 2 CORE Kuwagata Version. Developed and published by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Remake of Medabot 2. The only main-series game released in English. Prior to its Japanese retail release, a special edition of the game was sold through the Japanese magazine Comic BomBom.
Medabot DS Original release date(s): JP: May 27, 2010	Release years by system: 2010—Nintendo DS
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot DS Kabuto Ver. and Medabot DS Kuwagata Ver. Developed by Delta Arts. Published by Rocket Company.
Medabot 7 Original release date(s): JP: September 13, 2012	Release years by system: 2012—Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot 7 Kabuto Ver. and Medabot 7 Kuwagata Ver. Developed by Delta Arts. Published by Rocket Company.
Medabot 8 Original release date(s): JP: August 28, 2014	Release years by system: 2014—Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot 8 Kabuto Ver. and Medabot 8 Kuwagata Ver. Developed by Delta Arts. Published by Rocket Company.
Medabot 9 Original release date(s): JP: December 24, 2015	Release years by system: 2015—Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot 9 Kabuto Ver. and Medabot 9 Kuwagata Ver. Developed by Delta Arts. Published by Rocket Company. The last Medabots game developed by Delta Arts before they shut down.
Medabot Classics Original release date(s): JP: December 21, 2017	Release years by system: 2017—Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot Classics Kabuto Version and Medabot Classics Kuwagata Version. Developed by digifloyd. Published by Imagineer. Emulated collections of Medabot 1 to 5, enhanced with various overarching features.
Medabot Classics Plus Original release date(s): JP: November 12, 2020	Release years by system: 2020—Nintendo Switch
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabot Classics Kabuto Version and Medabot Classics Kuwagata Version. Published by Imagineer. Emulated collections of Medabot 1 to 5, Medabot Navi, Medabot G, and Medabot 2 CORE, enhanced with various overarching features.

Spinoffs and side games

Several spinoffs have been produced, some sticking closer to the RPG formula of the main series while others branch out into other genres.

For Medarot 1, 2, R, and 3, supplementary games entitled Parts Collection were made. These are shorter games with less complicated stories, focusing mostly on battles. Their main draw is that the player is able to collect robot parts and other items within the Parts Collection games and transfer them to their respective main series titles.

Title	Details
Medarot Parts Collection Original release date(s): JP: March 20, 1998	Release years by system: 1998—Game Boy
	Notes: Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Supplementary Parts Collection game for Medarot.
Medarot Parts Collection 2 Original release date(s): JP: May 29, 1998	Release years by system: 1999—Game Boy
	Notes: Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Supplementary Parts Collection game for Medarot.
Medarot 2 Parts Collection Original release date(s): JP: October 29, 1999	Release years by system: 1999—Game Boy Color
	Notes: Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Supplementary Parts Collection game for Medarot 2. Compatible with the original Game Boy.
Medarot R Original release date(s): JP: November 25, 1999	Release years by system: 1999—PlayStation
	Notes: Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Role-playing game with mechanics that match Medarot 2, but with battle scene graphics in 3D. The game's setting is similar to that of Medarot 2. Along with its supplementary Parts Collection game, the only Medabots game released for PlayStation hardware.
Medarot R Parts Collection Original release date(s): JP: March 16, 2000	Release years by system: 2000—PlayStation
	Notes: Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Supplementary Parts Collection game for Medarot R. Unlike the handheld Parts Collection games, this game loads the save file from the main game in order to let the player use the same Medabots. It also writes the parts obtained directly to the save file rather than requiring a transfer step. It is also completely menu-based, as opposed to having an overworld to traverse. Includes a PocketStation minigame called Pocket Robottle.
Medarot Card Robottle Original release date(s): JP: March 10, 2000	Release years by system: 2000—Game Boy Color
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medarot Card Robottle Kabuto Version and Medarot Card Robottle Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. A video game adaptation of one of the Medabots trading card games. Takes place in the world of Medarot 2, but in a reality where battles are carried out through a card game instead of robots fighting.
Medarot 3 Parts Collection Z kara no Chōsenjō Original release date(s): JP: November 24, 2000	Release years by system: 2000—Game Boy Color
	Notes: The title translates to "Medarot 3 Parts Collection: Z's Ultimate Battlefield", and is wordplay on "chōsenjō" usually meaning "written challenge". Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Supplementary Parts Collection game for Medarot 3. The last Parts Collection game produced.
Medarot Navi Original release date(s): JP: September 7, 2001	Release years by system: 2001—Game Boy Advance 2016—Wii U Virtual Console
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medarot Navi Kabuto and Medarot Navi Kuwagata. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer on Game Boy Advance, and by Rocket Company and Imagineer on Wii U Virtual Console. A role-playing game similar to the main series, but with a different battle system.
Medabots AX Original release date(s): NA: June 25, 2002 EU: August 2, 2002	Release years by system: 2002—Game Boy Advance 2016—Wii U Virtual Console
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medabots AX: Metabee Version and Medabots AX: Rokusho Version Developed and published by Natsume Co., Ltd.. A fighting game with gameplay identical to the Japan-exclusive Medarot G, but with story and content modified to be more similar to the anime. The only Medabots game not to be released in Japan.
Medarot G Original release date(s): JP: July 19, 2002	Release years by system: 2002—Game Boy Advance 2015—Wii U Virtual Console
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medarot G Kabuto Version and Medarot G Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Natsume Co., Ltd. on Game Boy Advance, and by Rocket Company on Wii U Virtual Console. A fighting game with gameplay identical to Medarot AX. Builds on the story of Medarot 5: Susutake-mura no Tenkōsei.
Medabots Infinity Original release date(s): JP: November 28, 2003 NA: December 14, 2003 EU: September 24, 2004	Release years by system: 2003—GameCube
	Notes: Known in Japan as Medarot BRAVE. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Natsume Co., Ltd. in Japan and North America, and by Ubisoft in Europe. A third-persion action role-playing game.
Shingata Medarot Original release date(s): JP: December 16, 2004	Release years by system: 2004—Game Boy Advance
	Notes: The title translates to True Style Medarot, and is wordplay on "shingata" usually meaning "new style". Released in two versions, Shingata Medarot Kabuto Version and Shingata Medarot Kuwagata Version. Developed by Natsume Co., Ltd.. Published by Imagineer. Reuses the engine and game mechanics from Medabots (Medarot 2 CORE). Unlike earlier games in the series, which feature a distinctly anime-like art style, Shingata has a more cartoony look. The game's story closely mirrors the one of the first Medarot, albeit with new characters.
Medarot DUAL Original release date(s): JP: November 14, 2013	Release years by system: 2013—Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medarot DUAL Kabuto Ver. and Medarot DUAL Kuwagata Ver. Developed by Jupiter Corporation. Published by Rocket Company. A third-person action game. Has similar gameplay to Virtual On.
Medarot Girls Mission Original release date(s): JP: March 10, 2016	Release years by system: 2016—Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: Released in two versions, Medarot Girls Mission Kabuto Version and Medarot Girls Mission Kuwagata Version. Developed by Engines and KUROGANE, with assistance from Jupiter Corporation. Published by Rocket Company. An action game with largely the same engine as Medarot Dual. Unlike Dual, it features an all-female cast, and the overworld is replaced by visual novel-like segments. The only Medabots game to receive a CERO C (recommended for ages 15 and above) rating. This is due to its mild sexual content: upon triumphing in battle, the player can strip opponents of their clothes by executing certain inputs. The last Medabots game to be published by Rocket Company before they were absorbed by Imagineer.
Medarot S: Unlimited Nova Original release date(s): JP: January 23, 2020	Release years by system: 2020—iOS, Android
	Notes: Developed by SoWhat. Published by Imagineer.

Manga

Medarot
メダロット (Medarotto)
Manga
Written by	Horumarin
Published by	Kodansha
Magazine	Comic BomBom
Demographic	Children
Original run	1997 – 1999
Volumes	3
Manga
Medarot 2
Written by	Horumarin
Published by	Kodansha
English publisher	NA: Viz Media (as Medabots)
Magazine	Comic BomBom
Demographic	Children
Original run	1999 – 2000
Volumes	4
Manga
Medarot 3
Written by	Horumarin
Published by	Kodansha
Magazine	Comic BomBom
Demographic	Children
Original run	2000 – 2001
Volumes	2
Manga
Medarot 4
Written by	Horumarin
Published by	Kodansha
Magazine	Comic BomBom
Demographic	Children
Original run	2001 – 2001
Volumes	2
Manga
Medarot 5
Written by	Horumarin
Published by	Kodansha
Magazine	Comic BomBom
Demographic	Children
Original run	2001 – 2002
Volumes	2
Manga
Medarot G
Written by	Horumarin
Published by	Kodansha
Magazine	Comic BomBom
Demographic	Children
Original run	2003 – 2003
Volumes	2
Manga
Medarot Re-Reloaded
Written by	Hakubayashi
Published by	Mangahot
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	December 27, 2017 – present
Volumes	6

Written by Horumarin, the Medabots manga series was originally serialized in the Kodansha's children's magazine Comic BomBom from 1997 to 2003. Six series were published. The first series Medarot was published between 1997 and 1999 and compiled in three tankōbon volumes. The second series entitled Medarot 2 was published between 1999 and 2000 and compiled in 4 volumes. This series was licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media under the title Medabots. the third series Medarot 3 was released between 2000 and 2001 and compiled in two volumes. The fourth series Medarot 4 was published in 2001 and compiled in two volumes. The fifth series Medarot 5 was published between 2001 and 2002 and compiled in two volumes. The sixth series Medarot G was released in 2003 and compiled in two volumes.

Anime

See also: List of Medabots episodes

Medabots
Promotional image showing main characters as seen in the anime
メダロット (Medarotto)
Anime television series
Directed by	Tensai Okamura
Produced by	Tomoko Gushima Yōko Matsushita
Written by	Ryōta Yamaguchi
Music by	Osamu Tezuka
Studio	Bee Train
Licensed by	NA: Nelvana (formerly) Discotek Media (current)
Original network	TXN (TV Tokyo)
English network	AU: Network Ten AUS: Cartoon Network BI: Cartoon Network, Toonami CA: YTV IE: RTÉ2 NZ: TV3 UK: CBBC, CITV, Pop Max S4C US: Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox Kids), ABC Family ZA: SABC 2
Original run	July 2, 1999 – June 30, 2000
Episodes	52
Anime television series
Medabots Spirits
Directed by	Masatsugu Arakawa
Produced by	Tomoko Gushima Yōko Matsushita
Written by	Yōsuke Nakagawa
Music by	Osamu Tezuka
Studio	Trans Arts (animation) Production I.G (production)
Licensed by	NA: Nelvana (formerly) Discotek Media (current)
Original network	TXN (TV Tokyo)
English network	CA: YTV US: ABC Family (Jetix)
Original run	July 7, 2000 – March 30, 2001
Episodes	39

The Medabots anime series was adapted from Medarot 2, with its robotic combat elements inspired by Plawres Sanshiro. Produced by NAS and TV Tokyo and animated by Bee Train, the fifty-two episode series originally aired on TV Tokyo from July 2, 1999 until June 30, 2000. A thirty-nine episode sequel to the anime series that was animated by Trans Arts, Medabots Spirits (メダロット魂, Medarotto Damashii) aired from July 7, 2000 to March 30, 2001.

The Japanese version has received a VHS and DVD release of the first series, while the second series has only received a VHS release. On January 29, 2010, a Region 2 boxset release known as Medabot DVD BOX 1 was released containing the first thirty episodes, with a second boxset on February 19 finishing with the last twenty-two episodes. Two boxsets for Damashii were released on December 30, 2010. This was the Production I.G series' very first DVD release.

Both series were licensed and localized into English by Canadian entertainment company Nelvana; the first series was divided into two seasons in North America. The first U.S. season originally aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company's Fox Kids block from September 1, 2001 to April 27, 2002. Medabots was Fox Kids highest-rated new series at the time. As a result of the sale of Fox Family Worldwide (the joint venture with Saban Entertainment that previously operated the Fox Kids program block) to The Walt Disney Company, Medabots would begin airing on ABC Family on March 4, 2002. The second U.S. season first aired on ABC Family from July 1 to November 2, 2002, while Damashii first aired on the network from September 13, 2003 to May 8, 2004 with later episodes aired as part of the Jetix program block. In Canada, the television series aired on YTV which, along with Nelvana, were owned by Corus Entertainment.

Under the license of Nelvana, the series was released on 12-volume VHS and DVD by ADV Films from 2002 to 2003 that ran throughout the first 52 episodes, along with the first three volumes re-released under ADV Kidz in their Essential Anime DVD lineup in 2005. Distribution was transferred to Shout! Factory, where they've released the first 26 episodes on a 4-DVD box set, that was released in early 2008. Announced at Otakon 2019, Discotek Media released the anime on SD Blu-ray, starting with the first 26 episodes of the English dub with optional closed captions on December 24, 2019. The company also announced plans to release the Japanese version in the future. On June 11, 2020, Justin Sevakis said Discotek Media were unable to find the masters for the English version of Medabots Spirits which has prevented the anime from being released on home video in North America. Discotek Media asked fans to help find the masters. On September 15, 2020, it was announced “acceptable” masters have been recovered and would have a physical release. It was released on May 25, 2021.

See also

• List of Japanese role-playing game franchises

External links

• Official Medabots Website
• Medarotters/Medarot official fan club Imagineer Co., Ltd./Rocket company Medarot site
• Medarotsha Official Twitter site

Derivative media

• Medabots in anime-paradijs Archived 2010-03-22 at the Wayback Machine Dutch
• Medabots (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Medabots at IMDb
• Project Rising Beetle localization campaign
• TV Tokyo page: Medarot 2
• ADV Films page: Medabots (season 1-2)
• Nelvana page Medabots (season 1-2)
• Discotek page: Medabots Season 1 Blu-ray, Medabots Season 2 Blu-ray, Medabots Season 3 Blu-ray